The Jewish Home | JANUARY 9, 2020
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Around the Community
YOSS Asifa Commemorating 1st Yartzheit of Rabbi Chanina Herzberg, zt”l
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n Sunday, Ches Teves, Yeshiva of South Shore, commemorated the first yahrtzeit of our long time menahel, Rabbi Chanina Herzberg, zt”l. The asifa took place in the Yeshiva Bais Medrash, together with his rebbetzin, children, and grandchildren. Rabbi Zev Davidowitz, Menahel HaMechina, opened the program describing that a yeshiva is a living, breathing entity, fueled by the mesorah of its hanhala and rabbeim. This idea is something that Rabbi Herzberg would often focus on when he spoke with talmidim. Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, Rosh Hayeshiva, gave divrei hisorirus, focusing on Rabbi Herzeberg’s incredible level of achrayus, responsibility, which he felt for every single Jew. Rabbi Kamenetzky described how there was not a single student or rebbi in the yeshiva that Rabbi Herzberg didn’t care deeply about and feel responsible for. Rabbi Eli Herzberg, Rabbi Herzberg’s son and rebbi at YOSS, followed by highlighting different aspects of his father’s life. He related a story of his father’s only trip to Eretz Yisrael. When Rabbi Herzberg went to meet Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, he didn’t bother to ask Rav Chaim for a bracha. All he was interested in discussing with Rav Chaim was a question he had regarding one of his talmidim. When his children asked him why he didn’t bother to ask Rav Chaim for a personal bracha, all Rabbi Herzberg would say was, “What for? Baruch Hashem, I have everything I need.” Rabbi Herzberg was always in a state of contentment and happiness with the life that Hashem
gave him. Rabbi Eli Herzberg also emphasized how his father appreciated little things in life. He was reminded of the pocket-sized picture of Rav Aharon Kotler his father saved for many years. When Rabbi Herzberg was a learning rebbe in Camp Rayim, a camper gave him the picture, thanking him for teaching him Torah that summer and explaining to him how his family couldn’t afford to give him a tip. Rabbi Herzberg considered that picture one of his most cherished possessions. He framed it and the pictures still sits in the Rebbetzin’s house today. The yeshiva was inspired with story after story relating the tzidkus of Rabbi Herzberg. Rabbi Yitzchak Herzberg, menahel of Yeshiva Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin and YOSS alumnus, emphasized to the talmidim that his father had to work very hard to become the man that he was. “Rabbi Herzberg wasn’t born an angel,” Reb Yitzchak commented. He explained that although his father had frum parents, most of his family was not religious. In fact, Rabbi Herzberg started off in public school. His parents couldn’t initially afford to send him to yeshiva. It wasn’t until the rebbi from the local yeshiva showed up on the first day of school at his front door to bring him to yeshiva, demonstrating a tremendous level of mesiras nefesh, that his parents acquiesced. Reb Yitzchak described the difficulties and challenges his father faced in elementary school and high school. It wasn’t until Rabbi Herzberg met Rabbi Freifeld, zt”l, that was he turned on to learn-
ing and ultimately made the decision to go into chinuch. The theme throughout all of the speeches was the middah of hakaras hatov and finding the good in everything and everyone, which is something Rabbi Herzberg personified. Rabbi Robinson, menahel of the elementary school, ended off the asifa by announcing the Hakaras Hatov Initiative, which the yeshiva will
on being makir tov to Hashem, the yeshiva will be focusing on making brachos with kavana, showing gratitude to Hashem for the food given to us. The students will be making brachos l’ilui nishmas Rabbi Herzberg and will receive special brachos cards l’ilui nishmaso, continuing the special legacy that he set forth. May his neshama have an aliyah.
Color War at DRS
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ast Wednesday, DRS students participated in DRS’s sixth Color War competition. There were plenty of activities in this grade vs. grade competition, each displaying the great creative talents of the students. The events began with intense games of Musical Chairs and Simon Says, which came down to the wire. During the Color War Chidon, students were tested on Hilchos Chanukah and the themes of this year’s event: Shira, Hoda’ah, Gevurah and Orah. Throughout the day, be launching. With a primary focus
students participated in skills competitions, Iron Chef, Bucket Brigade, Spikeball, Basketball, and a variety of other miscellaneous activities. At the end of the day, exciting closing ceremonies included a comedy video, talent competition, theme presentations, and window art. The leadership, teamwork, and spirit were evident throughout the school. Congratulations to the senior grade on their narrow victory and special thanks to Rabbi Farber and Rabbi Brazil for putting it all together.